Third Master thought: What a coincidence.

To turn back now would seem deliberate. Third Master generously raised his chin toward the courtyard: Walk?

Yan Sanhe thought: I only want to walk alone.

But to refuse now would seem guilty. Yan Sanhe also generously nodded: Fine!

The temple at night was so quiet only insect sounds remained.

Xie Zhifei was preoccupied and didn’t want to talk.

Yan Sanhe’s mind was organizing various pieces of information and even less wanted to talk.

Before bed, Li Buyan had washed her clothes and hung them to dry, so she was wearing men’s monk robes that hung loosely on her.

This should have been an extremely unattractive outfit, yet because of her loose black hair, it somehow had a slightly stunning effect.

No matter how preoccupied Xie Zhifei was, his peripheral vision caught sight and his heart became somewhat restless.

But what kind of person was Third Master?

Third Master’s greatest skill was having storms surge in his heart while maintaining a calm and breezy face.

“This should be the most difficult heart demon you’ve encountered in your demon-resolving career, right?” he said.

Yan Sanhe shook her head.

“There are even harder ones?”

Yan Sanhe nodded.

Fine, he was being shallow.

Xie Zhifei fell silent, quietly accompanying her for a stretch before softly reminding: “We still have to rise early tomorrow. Let’s go back.”

Like a puppet on strings, Yan Sanhe obediently turned around.

Xie Zhifei looked down at her, only now realizing her eyes were vacant, unfocused.

Do I really have such little presence?

Xie Zhifei laughed in exasperation.

If this were in the capital, how many young ladies and young wives walking beside him would have hearts pounding wildly.

Reaching the courtyard gate, Yan Sanhe turned. “You go first. I’ll walk a bit more.”

Though she spoke, her feet didn’t move.

Seeing she was somewhat obsessed, Xie Zhifei knew her mind was working through things. He nodded vaguely and turned to leave.

Suddenly, someone grabbed his arm.

His feet paused. He turned his face. “What is it?”

Yan Sanhe’s gaze deepened. “If you were Wu Guanyue, if you were in exile, where would you hide?”

Xie Zhifei: “…”

Yan Sanhe: “If Wu Guanyue is dead, if you were his son, if you were in exile, what matter would make you recklessly stand forth?”

Xie Zhifei: “…”

Yan Sanhe: “Can we think of a plan to lure the snake from its hole?”

“…”

Xie Zhifei’s heart suddenly began pounding wildly.

…

The next day, Nephew Hu Yong slept until daylight, feeling his feet ached, his buttocks hurt, his whole body uncomfortable.

Uncomfortable or not, he had to get up.

When asking for money, mouths must be sweet, skin thick, legs diligent—must let the noble see you constantly.

Hu Yong had his wife attend to his washing and breakfast. Under the Hu family’s eager gazes, he swaggered onto the carriage.

Arriving at Guandi Temple, he waited under the tree shade as yesterday.

After waiting a long while with no one appearing—

Hmm!

The nobles tired themselves yesterday, probably sleeping an extra hour or two.

By noon, still no one appeared. Hu Yong sensed something wrong and quickly went to ask the gatekeeper monk.

Hearing him say “Hu Yong,” the young gatekeeper monk quickly pulled a bundle from his bosom. “Take this. They had me pass it to you.”

Hu Yong’s mouth immediately spread so wide it couldn’t close.

Though the bundle was flat, it definitely contained banknotes. He’d observed carefully—Lord Pei liked using banknotes.

Wealth shouldn’t be displayed.

The nephew looked left and right, led the horse to a deserted spot and tied it up, then pulled out that bundle from his bosom.

Opening one layer of cloth, another layer inside.

Tsk, nobles are so particular.

Opening another layer, still another inside.

Tsk, not only particular but also careful.

Opening yet another layer, incredibly still another inside.

Hu Yong tensely held his breath.

Layer after layer—this was definitely a huge sum!

Made it big!

Finally reaching the last layer.

Huh, why just a thin piece of paper? Where are the banknotes?

What’s written on this paper?

Hu Yong couldn’t read, so he quickly rode back to Guandi Temple.

“Little master, please help me see what’s written here. Is it the location where banknotes are hidden?”

The young master took it and looked, joining palms: “Self-reliance, determined struggle.”

“What self-reliance, determined struggle?”

The young master pointed at the paper. “Look clearly—eight characters written here: Self-reliance, determined struggle.”

“…”

Like eighty-one thunderbolts striking down together.

Nephew Hu Yong felt his vision go black and collapsed with a thud.

…

The return journey took only four and a half days instead of five for the mountain roads.

Arriving at Guanyin Temple, Lord Pei sported a bird’s nest of messy hair, yet his expression was extremely serious.

“Zhitong, observe the six of us—two sets of new clothes and two pairs of new shoes per person. I want to see them by early tomorrow morning.”

Zhineng: “Lord Pei, how should we buy clothes for the two young ladies?”

Lord Pei pointed at Yan Sanhe, chin high with arrogance: “One is a precious young lady of my Pei family, one is a maid serving the young lady.”

Bathing, eating, sleeping…

Upon waking, it was already the next morning.

Li Buyan finished washing and opened the door to find a thin young monk holding clothes, a jewelry box, waiting outside.

“Senior Brother Zhitong had me deliver these.”

“Many thanks.”

Li Buyan turned and arranged everything on the table. Opening the jewelry box, she selected a buyao hairpin, clicked her tongue twice, then called: “Sanhe, change clothes.”

Yan Sanhe’s face was gloomy as she remained motionless.

Li Buyan walked over and bumped her with her shoulder. “When Lord Pei arranged this yesterday, you didn’t make a sound.”

“That’s because I didn’t expect jewelry would be involved.”

Yan Sanhe’s gaze gloomily fixed on that buyao.

Really wanted to snap it!

…

Across the way, Third Master Xie looked at himself in the bronze mirror—scruffy beard, slightly messy hair, haggard eyes…

Not bad, quite the look of a personal guard.

“Mingting, let’s go.”

The two waited briefly in the courtyard when the door creaked open with a squeak.

Li Buyan emerged first. This girl had changed into pretty clothes, her whole person bright as spring.

They say Buddha needs gold adornment, people need fine clothes—with just a bit of dressing up, this girl already stood out considerably.

Just then, another person walked out the door.

That person wore apricot-red clothing, brows like mountains, eyes like stars.

The buyao on her cloud-black hair swayed back and forth, casting brilliant golden light. Her usually pale face and lips, touched by that golden glow, also gained some color.

Red clothes, golden light, blood color… crashed magnificently into everyone’s sight.

Xie Zhifei’s heart felt pinched by something, suddenly beating faster.

He took a deep breath and pretended to push Pei Xiao beside him. “That… what do we do next? You say something.”

Say what?

Pei Xiao swallowed, feeling his throat dry, cheeks hot, and also…

Legs weak.

Having lived all these years, entering this pavilion and that chamber always composed, Lord Pei for the first time showed a trace of shyness on his face.

Going to die!

Why does this spirit medium look so good dressed up?

I…

I, I, I…

“What are you all standing around for? Speak quickly!”

Yan Sanhe’s tone was unprecedentedly impatient.